Rugby

I’m becoming quite the fan! The Springboks, South Africa’s national team, beat the New Zealand All Blacks in NZ! That’s a huge deal, because NZ hasn’t lost at home in many years, and South Africa lost to them in NZ last week. I obviously did not catch this game in person…

BUT I did see the Pretoria Blue Bulls beat the Free State Cheetahs, live! Rob took me out to Pretoria on my birthday for a nice experience. I don’t understand all of the penalties, but I get the big ones and I certainly understand ball movement. If I didn’t value my brain so much, I might take up rugby. There just isn’t enough money in the world to convince me that all of the hitting they do is safe for one’s longevity… Still, it was quite the experience, with flags waving, unseasonable rain surprising us in the stands, and a very competitive match.

But if we want to play nice, I'm ready for a test, I'll score a try, I'll pitch and scrum and drop kick my way to a victory for my team... Not likely, huh?

The Blue Bull himself


A lineout (throw-in)


It's blurry, but try to notice the guy way up in the air. On lineouts the team hoists one of their tallest players to try to catch the ball over the other teams tallest who is also hoisted. It's all in the timing. This also gives a great shot of the empty stands except for where everyone pushed up to get out of the rain!